Glen Roosevelt Mackey (1901-1935)

MACKEY, HERMANSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/5/2024 at 16:14:52

From Story City Herald July 25, 1935 (page 1)

GLEN MACKEY MET DEATH IN DES MOINES RIVER

Young Farmer Lost Life in Des Moines River Last Friday Afternoon

The community was greatly shocked last Friday afternoon when the news was spread abroad that Glen Mackey, well known farmer of southwest of town, had drowned in the Des Moines river near Frazier dam.

It seems that he had taken his wife and children to the river for an afternoon refreshing following the arduous labors of the field. While swimming he suddenly threw up his hands and sank while the family stood on the shore and watched, not knowing but he was simply showing off a diving stunt. The body was recovered in about thirty minutes, and relatives and friends notified at once.

The funeral services were held Monday afternoon, a short prayer service at Grace church, of which the family had been regular attendants for a number of years. Rev. Bergemean officiated and the singing was by a men's trio consisting of Dr. Born, George Sowers and Arnold Anderson, with Vernon Anderson at the piano.

Interment was made in the Fairview cemetery. The pall bearers were: Arvie Jacobson, Annas Jacobson, Richard Mattingly, Burnice Tressler, Geo. Merkel and Osmond Kalvik.

Preceding the sermon Rev. Bergeman read the following obituary:

Obituary

Glen Roosevelt Mackey, eldest son of George and Agnes Jane Mackey, was born in Harrison township, Boone county, on March 19th, 1901, and came to his untimely death on last Friday afternoon, July 19, 1935, thus attaining the age of 34 years and four months. This sudden and unexpected passing of our friend is another reminder that "As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more." So we pray with the servant of Jehovah: "Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

He grew to manhood in the community in which he was born and then was married to Miss Lena Hermanson on Nov. 8, 1922. To them were born three sons. Since their marriage he with his family have lived in country west of Story City.

He leaves to mourn his sudden passing his sorrowing companion, three small sons, his mother and one brother, Sammie, all of whom are residing in the vicinity of Story City, and other relatives and friends.

"Death comes with reckless footsteps
To the hall and hut;
Think you that death will tarry, knocking,
Where the door is shut?"

"No time for a last farewell,
No time for the shock of fear,
Scarcely a moment's halt on the shore,
With the guide and the boatman near--
Dear, how surprised you were to go,
With little to suffer, little to know."

"Tis the wink of an eye, the draft of a breath
From the blossom of health to the paleness of death.
Like leaves on trees the race of men is found,
Now green in youth, now withering on the ground.
All things that are on earth shall wholly pass away,
Except the love of God, which shall live and last for aye.